Federal Emergency Management Agency of the United StatesThe Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA is a government agency in the United States which is organized under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate. The agency is charged with what it defines as four domains of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Mainly, FEMA responds to any disaster that occurs in the United States that is declared a federal disaster area by the President of the United States. FEMA coordinates the work of federal, state, and local agencies in responding to floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. FEMA provides financial assistance to individuals and governments to rebuild homes, businesses, and public facilities; trains firefighters and emergency medical professionals; and funds emergency planning throughout the United States and its territories. HistoryThe United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has existed in one form or another for over 200 years. The history of FEMA can be divided into the following parts. Pre-1930The first major disaster in the history of the United States was a series of devastating fires in the port city of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The Seventh Congress passed a number of measures in the Congressional Act of 1803, which provided relief for the merchants of Portsmouth by waiving duties and tariffs on goods. This is widely considered the first piece of legislation passed by the federal government that provided relief after a disaster and can be viewed as the beginnings of federal policies to provide relief after a disaster. Between 1803 and 1930, ad-hoc legislation was passed more than 100 times for relief or compensation after a disaster. Examples of these include the waiving of duties and tariffs to the merchants of New York City after a fire in the mid 1830’s. After President Abraham Lincoln's assassination at Ford's Theatre, the 54th Congress passed legislation compensating those who were injured in the theatre. POOP Piecemeal Approach (1930s – 1960s)After the start of the Great Depression in 1929, President Herbert Hoover had commissioned the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) in 1932. The purpose of the RFC was to lend money to banks and institutions to stimulate economic activity. RFC was also responsible for dispensing federal dollars in the wake of a disaster. RFC can be considered the first organized federal disaster response agency. The Bureau of Public Roads in 1934 was given authority to finance the reconstruction of highways and roads after a disaster. The Flood Control Act of 1944 also gave the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authority over flood control and irrigation projects and thus played a major role in disaster recovery from flooding. This “piecemeal approach” to disaster recovery was troubled by poor interagency cooperation and bureaucratic red tape. Department of Housing and Urban Development (1960 -1979)By the start of the 1960’s, federal disaster relief and recovery was brought under the umbrella of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) which created the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration. This agency would oversee disasters such as Hurricane Carla in 1962, Hurricane Betsy in 1965, Hurricane Camille in 1969 and Hurricane Agnes in 1972, the Alaskan (Good Friday) Earthquake of 1964 and the San Fernando Earthquake of 1971. Many government agencies were still involved in disaster relief, in some cases over 100 separate agencies may be jockeying for control and jurisdiction of a disaster. FEMA as an Independent Agency (1979 – 2003)In 1979, President Jimmy Carter, at the prompting of the National Governor’s Association, signed Executive Order 12148 which put a new agency, FEMA, in charge of coordinating all disaster relief efforts at the federal level. FEMA absorbed the Federal Insurance Administration, the National Fire Prevention and Control Administration, the National Weather Service Community Preparedness Program, the Federal Preparedness Agency of the General Services Administration and the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration activities from HUD. FEMA was also given the responsibility for overseeing the nation’s Civil Defense, a function which had previously been performed by the Department of Defense’s Defense Civil Preparedness Agency. One of the first disasters FEMA responded to was the dumping of toxic waste into Love Canal in Niagara Falls, New York in the late 1970’s. FEMA also responded to the Three Mile Island nuclear accident where the nuclear generating station suffered a partial core meltdown. These disasters, while showing the agency could function properly, also uncovered some inefficiencies. In 1993 President Bill Clinton elevated FEMA to a cabinet level position and named James Lee Witt as FEMA Director. Witt initiated reforms that would help to streamline the disaster recovery and mitigation process. The end of the Cold War also allowed the agency’s resources to be turned away from civil defense to natural disaster preparedness. FEMA under DHS (2003 - Present)President George W. Bush signs the Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2004.Following the Terrorist Attacks of 11 September 2001, President Bush created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to better coordinate between the different federal agencies that deal with law enforcement, disaster preparedness and recovery, border protection and civil defense. FEMA was absorbed into DHS as of 2003. As a result, FEMA became part of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate of DHS, and employs more than 2,600 full time employees. In September, 2003, Michael D. Brown, FEMA's director and DHS Undersecretary, warned that the shift would make a mockery of FEMA's new motto, "A Nation Prepared," and would "fundamentally sever FEMA from its core functions," "shatter agency morale," and "break longstanding, effective and tested relationships with states and first responder stakeholders." The inevitable result of the reorganization of 2003, warned Brown, would be "an ineffective and uncoordinated response" to a terrorist attack or a natural disaster. [Washington Post Dec 23, 2005] FEMA and DHS both came under intense criticism for their handling of the Hurricane Katrina disaster in 2005 (see Katrina and Criticism sections below). As a result, FEMA Director Michael Brown was relieved of command of the Gulf Coast region and resigned shortly thereafter. OrganizationToday, FEMA exists as part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate. The Director reports directly to the Secretary of Homeland Security. FEMA currently manages the U.S. Fire Administration and the National Flood Insurance Program. Other programs FEMA previously administered have since been internalized or shifted under direct DHS control. Response CapabilitiesFEMA's emergency response is based around small, decentralized teams trained in such specialties as medical care, search and rescue, and communications. National Disaster Medical System (NDMS)These teams provide medical and allied care to disaster victims. Teams are made up of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, etc, and are typically sponsored by hospitals, public safety agencies, or private organizations. Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMAT) provide medical care at disasters and are typically made up of doctors and paramedics. There are also National Nursing Response Teams (NNRT), National Pharmacy Response Teams (NPRT), and Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams (VMAT). Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams (DMORT) provide mortuary and forensic services. National Medical Response Teams (NMRT) are equipped to decontaminate victims of chemical and biological agents. Urban Search and Rescue (US&R)These task forces rescue victims of structural collapse and other confined spaces, ex. mines. Mobile Emergency Response Systems (MERS)These teams provide communications support to local public safety. For instance, they may operate a truck with satellite uplink, computers, telephone, and power generation at a staging area near a disaster, so that the responders can communicate with the outside world. There are also Mobile Air Transportable Telecommunications System (MATTS) assets which can be airlifted in. Response to Major DisastersHurricane Andrew - 1992(see also Hurricane Andrew) In August 1992, Hurricane Andrew struck the Florida and Louisiana coasts with 165 mph (265 km/h) sustained winds. FEMA was widely criticized for the agency’s response to Andrew, summed up by the famous exclamation, "Where in the hell is the cavalry on this one?" by Dade County, Florida, emergency management director Kate Hale. FEMA and the federal government at large were accused of not responding fast enough to house, feed, and sustain the approximately 250,000 people left homeless in the affected areas. Within five days, the federal government and neighboring states had dispatched 20,000 National Guard and active duty troops to South Dade County to set up temporary housing. FEMA had previously been criticized for its response to Hurricane Hugo, which hit South Carolina in September 1989, and many of the same issues that plagued the agency during Hurricane Andrew were also evident during the response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Terrorist Attacks on 11 September, 2001(see also September 11 2001 attacks) In the minutes after the first hijacked plane slammed into the World Trade Center towers, FEMA as well as emergency services all over the city and state of New York were mobilized. FEMA had deployed 25 of the 28 Urban Search and Rescue teams at its disposal to the World Trade Center site, however the New York City Office of Emergency Management was in charge of the WTC recovery effort. FEMA played its largest role in the appropriation of federal funds to aid local and state governments in paying for the disaster. As of 2003, FEMA had received US$5.5 billion to distribute amongst local and state agencies to help offset the cost of recovery. Within the $5.5 billion, FEMA was also allotted funds to pay for its own recovery efforts. Hurricane Katrina – 2005Evacuees taking shelter at the Reliant Astrodome.(see also Hurricane Katrina) August 2005 saw one of the worst natural disasters in United States history. FEMA received intense criticism for its response to the disaster. FEMA had pre-positioned response personnel in the Gulf Coast region, however many were only able to report of dire situation along the Gulf Coast, especially from New Orleans. FEMA was responsible for the evacuation of the thousands of people who remained in New Orleans during the storm, as well as initial recovery work and appropriations. Within three days, a large contingent of National Guard and active duty troops were deployed to the region. The enormous number of evacuees simply overwhelmed rescue personnel. The situation was compounded by flood waters in the city that hampered transportation and poor communication between the federal government, state and local entities. FEMA was widely criticized for what is seen as a slow initial response to the disaster and an inability to effectively manage, care for and move those trying to leave the city. Then FEMA Director Michael D. Brown was criticized personally for a slow response and apparent disconnect with the actual situation on the ground. Michael Brown would eventually be relieved of command of the Katrina disaster and soon thereafter resign. Katrina was seen as the first major test of the nation’s new disaster response plan under DHS. It is widely held that many things did not function as planned. However, formal investigations have yet to determine who exactly is to blame (and to what extent) for the Katrina disaster. FEMA set a deadline of February 7, 2006 as the official end of any further coverage of temporary housing costs for Katrina victims. After the February 7 deadline, Katrina victims will be left to their own devices to either find permanent housing for the long term, or to continue in social welfare programs set up by other organizations. There are hundreds of thousands of Katrina evacuees living in temporary shelters and/or trailer parks set up by FEMA and other relief organizations in the first months after the disaster hit. The telephone number to receive disaster assistance from FEMA is 800-621-3362. Survivors of Katrina can learn more about FEMA assistance available at a wiki web site FEMAanswers.org. CriticismIn 1997, James Bovard criticized FEMA for subsidizing rebuilding in places that are vulnerable to natural disasters, asking, "[D]o we really want to help rebuild homes and government property in areas that should never have been built on in the first place?" He also claimed that localities are less likely to fund their own snow removal if they know the federal government will bail them out in the event of snow emergencies[1]. Moreover, he said that FEMA is used by incumbent presidents to shore up political support[2]. The Cato Institute's Handbook for Congress argues that private companies could perform the tasks carried about by FEMA, and that this would encourage home construction in safer areas[3]: FEMA does encourage disaster victims to reduce future losses by considering "taking steps to rebuild safer and smarter," advising them to[4]:
South Florida newspaper Sun-Sentinel has an extensive list of documented criticisms of FEMA during the four hurricanes that hit the region in 2004.[5] Some of the criticisms include:
Since Hurricane Katrina, some critics have called for FEMA to be removed from the Department of Homeland Security, saying that its position in the department badly hindered the agency's response. List of FEMA HeadsAs director of the agency:
As director of Cabinet-level agency:
As Under Secretary of Emergency Preparedness and Response within DHS
The President is currently hiring for this position. Qualified persons may submit applications here. After the formation of the Department of Homeland Security in 2003, the official title of the head of FEMA became Under Secretary of Emergency Preparedness and Response. This position includes additional responsibilities beyond FEMA including the oversight of the Department of Energy's Nuclear Incident Response Team, or NIRT. FEMA in FictionIn The X-Files movie, Alvin Kurtzweil tells Fox Mulder that FEMA is involved in the global conspiracy involving aliens. In the computer game Deus Ex, Walton Simons is the director of FEMA. This page about fema includes information from a Wikipedia article. Additional articles about fema News stories about fema External links for fema Videos for fema Wikis about fema Discussion Groups about fema Blogs about fema Images of fema |
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In the computer game Deus Ex, Walton Simons is the director of FEMA. MAD Magazine ran a parody of The Onion called "The Bunion" in one issue. In The X-Files movie, Alvin Kurtzweil tells Fox Mulder that FEMA is involved in the global conspiracy involving aliens. Another popular send-up of the news that pre-dates The Onion is the Weekend Update segment on Saturday Night Live. This position includes additional responsibilities beyond FEMA including the oversight of the Department of Energy's Nuclear Incident Response Team, or NIRT. Also, the National Lampoon crew has had a lasting influence on most American humorists, so it is not unlikely that The Onion's founders and staff had been influenced by them (considering that National Lampoon grew out of the college humor publication Harvard Lampoon and that The Onion also began as a college humor magazine.). After the formation of the Department of Homeland Security in 2003, the official title of the head of FEMA became Under Secretary of Emergency Preparedness and Response. While it is unknown if this book directly inspired/influenced The Onion's founders, it certainly shares similarities. Qualified persons may submit applications here. The paper contained all the usual sections found in most major newspapers (classified ads, Sunday magazines, sports, local news, comics) satirized with the anarchistic Lampoon sense of humor. The President is currently hiring for this position. The book was an issue of the fictional "Ohio Republican-Democrat," a tabloid style newspaper. As Under Secretary of Emergency Preparedness and Response within DHS. O'Rourke and John Hughes. As director of Cabinet-level agency:. In 1978 National Lampoon released the book "National Lampoon's Sunday Newspaper Parody" which was edited by P.J. As director of the agency:. sponsorship or approval' by the president," referring to Title 18, 713, but then went on to ask that the letter be considered a formal application asking for permission to use the seal. Since Hurricane Katrina, some critics have called for FEMA to be removed from the Department of Homeland Security, saying that its position in the department badly hindered the agency's response. Klaskin, the Onion's lawyer, is quoted in the New York Times as saying "It is inconceivable that anyone would think that, by using the seal, The Onion intends to 'convey.. South Florida newspaper Sun-Sentinel has an extensive list of documented criticisms of FEMA during the four hurricanes that hit the region in 2004.[5] Some of the criticisms include:. The letter written by Rochelle H. FEMA does encourage disaster victims to reduce future losses by considering "taking steps to rebuild safer and smarter," advising them to[4]:. The Onion has responded with a letter asking for formal use of the Seal in accordance with the Executive Order, while still declaring that the use is legitimate under Title 18, 713. The Cato Institute's Handbook for Congress argues that private companies could perform the tasks carried about by FEMA, and that this would encourage home construction in safer areas[3]:. 11649), but which allows for exceptions to be granted upon formal request. Moreover, he said that FEMA is used by incumbent presidents to shore up political support[2]. No. In 1997, James Bovard criticized FEMA for subsidizing rebuilding in places that are vulnerable to natural disasters, asking, "[D]o we really want to help rebuild homes and government property in areas that should never have been built on in the first place?" He also claimed that localities are less likely to fund their own snow removal if they know the federal government will bail them out in the event of snow emergencies[1]. Ord. Survivors of Katrina can learn more about FEMA assistance available at a wiki web site FEMAanswers.org. However, by Executive Order President Richard Nixon specifically enumerated the allowed uses of the Presidential Seal which is more restictive than the above title (Ex. The telephone number to receive disaster assistance from FEMA is 800-621-3362. This section would seem to allow the use of the presidential seal by The Onion. There are hundreds of thousands of Katrina evacuees living in temporary shelters and/or trailer parks set up by FEMA and other relief organizations in the first months after the disaster hit. Whoever knowingly displays any printed or other likeness of the great seal of the United States, or of the seals of the President or the Vice President of the United States, or the seal of the United States Senate, or the seal of the United States House of Representatives, or the seal of the United States Congress, or any facsimile thereof, in, or in connection with, any advertisement, poster, circular, book, pamphlet, or other publication, public meeting, play, motion picture, telecast, or other production, or on any building, monument, or stationery, for the purpose of conveying, or in a manner reasonably calculated to convey, a false impression of sponsorship or approval by the Government of the United States or by any department, agency, or instrumentality thereof, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both. (emphasis added). After the February 7 deadline, Katrina victims will be left to their own devices to either find permanent housing for the long term, or to continue in social welfare programs set up by other organizations. The law governing the Presidential Seal is contained in TITLE 18, 713 and contains the section:. FEMA set a deadline of February 7, 2006 as the official end of any further coverage of temporary housing costs for Katrina victims. Dixton, wrote a cease and desist letter to The Onion, asking the paper to stop using the presidential seal, which is used in an online segment poking fun at the President through parodies of his weekly radio address. However, formal investigations have yet to determine who exactly is to blame (and to what extent) for the Katrina disaster. Bush, Grant M. It is widely held that many things did not function as planned. In September 2005, the assistant counsel to President George W. Katrina was seen as the first major test of the nation’s new disaster response plan under DHS. Recently, an article from The Onion appeared on the 2005 Advanced Placement English Language and Composition test, in which students were asked to write an essay analyzing its use of satire.[4]. Michael Brown would eventually be relieved of command of the Katrina disaster and soon thereafter resign. [2] [3]. Brown was criticized personally for a slow response and apparent disconnect with the actual situation on the ground. Columnist Ellen Makkai and others who believe the Harry Potter books recruit children to Satanism have also been taken in by The Onion's satire, using quotes from an Onion article as evidence for their claims. Then FEMA Director Michael D. [1]. FEMA was widely criticized for what is seen as a slow initial response to the disaster and an inability to effectively manage, care for and move those trying to leave the city. Exercise Televised. The situation was compounded by flood waters in the city that hampered transportation and poor communication between the federal government, state and local entities. In late March 2004, Deborah Norville of MSNBC presented as genuine an article entitled Study: 58 Percent Of U.S. The enormous number of evacuees simply overwhelmed rescue personnel. The Evening News is Beijing's most popular newspaper, claiming a circulation of 1.25 million. Within three days, a large contingent of National Guard and active duty troops were deployed to the region. sports franchises' threats to leave their home city unless new stadiums are built for them. FEMA was responsible for the evacuation of the thousands of people who remained in New Orleans during the storm, as well as initial recovery work and appropriations. The article is a parody of U.S. FEMA had pre-positioned response personnel in the Gulf Coast region, however many were only able to report of dire situation along the Gulf Coast, especially from New Orleans. Congress's threats to leave Washington for Memphis, Tennessee or Charlotte, North Carolina unless Washington, DC built them a new Capitol building with a retractable dome. FEMA received intense criticism for its response to the disaster. The story discusses the U.S. August 2005 saw one of the worst natural disasters in United States history. Unless New Capitol Is Built (they were apparently unaware of The Onion's satirical nature). (see also Hurricane Katrina). On June 7, 2002, Reuters reported that the Beijing Evening News republished, in the international news page of its June 3 edition, translated portions of Congress Threatens To Leave D.C. Within the $5.5 billion, FEMA was also allotted funds to pay for its own recovery efforts. to introduce democracy and protect their interests in the region, Bill Clinton declared himself "President for life.", Bob Dole was shot, and Tipper Gore was being held hostage. As of 2003, FEMA had received US$5.5 billion to distribute amongst local and state agencies to help offset the cost of recovery. As the recount process unfolded, the Onion published a satirical issue reporting chaos in America, in which Serbia sent peacekeepers to the U.S. FEMA played its largest role in the appropriation of federal funds to aid local and state governments in paying for the disaster. Gore. FEMA had deployed 25 of the 28 Urban Search and Rescue teams at its disposal to the World Trade Center site, however the New York City Office of Emergency Management was in charge of the WTC recovery effort. The noteworthiness of this story was largely a matter of luck: the paper went to press election night, before the contested election results which led to Bush v. In the minutes after the first hijacked plane slammed into the World Trade Center towers, FEMA as well as emergency services all over the city and state of New York were mobilized. Presidential election, when the future President remained undetermined, the Onion published a story titled Bush or Gore: "A New Era Dawns" which parodied the similarities between the two politicians. (see also September 11 2001 attacks). Just after the 2000 U.S. FEMA had previously been criticized for its response to Hurricane Hugo, which hit South Carolina in September 1989, and many of the same issues that plagued the agency during Hurricane Andrew were also evident during the response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In 1998, controversial minister Fred Phelps posted the Onion article '98 Homosexual-recruitment drive nearing goal on his God Hates Fags website as proof that homosexuals were indeed actively trying to get straight people to join their ranks. Within five days, the federal government and neighboring states had dispatched 20,000 National Guard and active duty troops to South Dade County to set up temporary housing. Upon occasion the straight-faced manner in which the Onion reports non-existent happenings has resulted in outside parties mistakenly citing Onion stories as real news. FEMA and the federal government at large were accused of not responding fast enough to house, feed, and sustain the approximately 250,000 people left homeless in the affected areas. The Onion's coverage of the September 11, 2001 attacks less than two weeks following the attacks was one of the earliest satirical reactions to those attacks, and was considered for a Pulitzer Prize. FEMA was widely criticized for the agency’s response to Andrew, summed up by the famous exclamation, "Where in the hell is the cavalry on this one?" by Dade County, Florida, emergency management director Kate Hale. This brings The Onion back to the open state it was in prior to April 2004 when the restrictive move towards a Premium Service was first initiated. In August 1992, Hurricane Andrew struck the Florida and Louisiana coasts with 165 mph (265 km/h) sustained winds. Simultaneously The Onion discontinued their Premium Service which charged readers a substantial fee for additional content and vintage archives. (see also Hurricane Andrew). Club relaunched in a new design which presents the content as almost entirely discrete from The Onion itself. There are also Mobile Air Transportable Telecommunications System (MATTS) assets which can be airlifted in. In late August 2005, The Onion's companion website The Onion A.V. For instance, they may operate a truck with satellite uplink, computers, telephone, and power generation at a staging area near a disaster, so that the responders can communicate with the outside world. As of 2004 the paper's founders are publishers of other weeklies: Keck of the Seattle weekly The Stranger and Johnson of Albuquerque's Weekly Alibi. These teams provide communications support to local public safety. In early 2001, the company relocated its offices to New York City. mines. A possible origin for its name is a mispronunciation of "The Union", which is a fairly common name for a legitimate paper. These task forces rescue victims of structural collapse and other confined spaces, ex. The Onion remained a regional success until it began its website in 1996. National Medical Response Teams (NMRT) are equipped to decontaminate victims of chemical and biological agents. The Onion was founded in 1988 and originally published in Madison, Wisconsin by two juniors at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Tim Keck and Christopher Johnson; they sold it to colleagues the following year. Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams (DMORT) provide mortuary and forensic services. The regular contributors include:. There are also National Nursing Response Teams (NNRT), National Pharmacy Response Teams (NPRT), and Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams (VMAT). Each issue features columns by (fictional) regular and guest writers. Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMAT) provide medical care at disasters and are typically made up of doctors and paramedics. Past writers have included Max Cannon, Rich Dahm, Tim Harrod, David Javerbaum, Ben Karlin, Carol Kolb, Robert Siegel, and Jack Szwergold. Teams are made up of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, etc, and are typically sponsored by hospitals, public safety agencies, or private organizations. Herman Zweibel (Zwiebel is German for onion), who has "held the position since 1901" and is rather insane; the real editor is currently Scott Dikkers, the managing editor is Peter Koechley, and the current writing staff comprises Todd Hanson, Maria Schneider, John Krewson, Joe Garden, and Chris Karwowski, as well as the graphics work of Mike Loew and Chad Nackers. These teams provide medical and allied care to disaster victims. The Onion's fictional editor is T. FEMA's emergency response is based around small, decentralized teams trained in such specialties as medical care, search and rescue, and communications. . Other programs FEMA previously administered have since been internalized or shifted under direct DHS control. Both print and online editions of The Onion are published on Wednesdays. Fire Administration and the National Flood Insurance Program. The staff of the Onion have also produced numerous books, including Our Dumb Century, Finest News Reporting, and Dispatches from the Tenth Circle. FEMA currently manages the U.S. As well:. The Director reports directly to the Secretary of Homeland Security. The newspaper was revamped on August 31, 2005, which changed the layout of the website homepage. Today, FEMA exists as part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate. Regular features of The Onion include:. As a result, FEMA Director Michael Brown was relieved of command of the Gulf Coast region and resigned shortly thereafter. Club blogs and reader forums, and presents itself as an almost-separate entity from The Onion itself. FEMA and DHS both came under intense criticism for their handling of the Hurricane Katrina disaster in 2005 (see Katrina and Criticism sections below). Club has its own domain, includes its own regular features (including weekly sex advice column Savage Love), A.V. [Washington Post Dec 23, 2005]. The online incarnation of The A.V. Brown, FEMA's director and DHS Undersecretary, warned that the shift would make a mockery of FEMA's new motto, "A Nation Prepared," and would "fundamentally sever FEMA from its core functions," "shatter agency morale," and "break longstanding, effective and tested relationships with states and first responder stakeholders." The inevitable result of the reorganization of 2003, warned Brown, would be "an ineffective and uncoordinated response" to a terrorist attack or a natural disaster. The print edition also contains previews of upcoming live entertainment specific to cities where a print edition is published. In September, 2003, Michael D. Club that features interviews, reviews of various newly-released media, and other weekly features. As a result, FEMA became part of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate of DHS, and employs more than 2,600 full time employees. The second half of the newspaper is a non-satirical — but still often humorous — entertainment section called The A.V. FEMA was absorbed into DHS as of 2003. Obsession with fame and celebrity are frequently satirized, as well as the general credulousness of the public. Following the Terrorist Attacks of 11 September 2001, President Bush created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to better coordinate between the different federal agencies that deal with law enforcement, disaster preparedness and recovery, border protection and civil defense. The paper often reports on everyday events in a sensationalistic manner ("Area Man Confounded by Buffet Procedure"). The end of the Cold War also allowed the agency’s resources to be turned away from civil defense to natural disaster preparedness. It parodies traditional newspaper features and styles. Witt initiated reforms that would help to streamline the disaster recovery and mitigation process. The Onion's articles comment on current events, both real and imagined (an example of the latter: "All Americans Issued Life Jackets for Some Reason"). In 1993 President Bill Clinton elevated FEMA to a cabinet level position and named James Lee Witt as FEMA Director. Paul, Denver/Boulder, and San Francisco. These disasters, while showing the agency could function properly, also uncovered some inefficiencies. As of May 2005 its print editions are distributed in Madison, Milwaukee, New York City, Chicago, Minneapolis-St. FEMA also responded to the Three Mile Island nuclear accident where the nuclear generating station suffered a partial core meltdown. It contains satirical articles as well as a general entertainment section. One of the first disasters FEMA responded to was the dumping of toxic waste into Love Canal in Niagara Falls, New York in the late 1970’s. The Onion is a parody newspaper published weekly in print and on the Internet. FEMA was also given the responsibility for overseeing the nation’s Civil Defense, a function which had previously been performed by the Department of Defense’s Defense Civil Preparedness Agency. "Embedded in America": The Onion Ad Nauseam Complete News Archives Volume 16 (2005, ISBN 1400054567). FEMA absorbed the Federal Insurance Administration, the National Fire Prevention and Control Administration, the National Weather Service Community Preparedness Program, the Federal Preparedness Agency of the General Services Administration and the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration activities from HUD. "Fanfare for the Area Man": The Onion Ad Nauseam Complete News Archives Volume 15 (2004, ISBN 1400054559). In 1979, President Jimmy Carter, at the prompting of the National Governor’s Association, signed Executive Order 12148 which put a new agency, FEMA, in charge of coordinating all disaster relief efforts at the federal level. and Them": The Onion Ad Nauseam: Complete News Archives Volume 14 (2003, ISBN 140004961X). Many government agencies were still involved in disaster relief, in some cases over 100 separate agencies may be jockeying for control and jurisdiction of a disaster. "Relations Break Down Between U.S. This agency would oversee disasters such as Hurricane Carla in 1962, Hurricane Betsy in 1965, Hurricane Camille in 1969 and Hurricane Agnes in 1972, the Alaskan (Good Friday) Earthquake of 1964 and the San Fernando Earthquake of 1971. The Onion Ad Nauseam: Complete News Archives Volume 13 (2002, ISBN 1400047242). By the start of the 1960’s, federal disaster relief and recovery was brought under the umbrella of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) which created the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration. Dispatches from the Tenth Circle: The Best of The Onion (2001, ISBN 0609808346). This “piecemeal approach” to disaster recovery was troubled by poor interagency cooperation and bureaucratic red tape. The Onion's Finest News Reporting, Volume 1 (2000, ISBN 0609804634). Army Corps of Engineers authority over flood control and irrigation projects and thus played a major role in disaster recovery from flooding. Our Dumb Century: The Onion Presents 100 Years of Headlines from America's Finest News Source (1999, ISBN 0609804618). The Flood Control Act of 1944 also gave the U.S. Gorzo the Mighty, the Emperor of the Universe, villain in the style of 1930s science fiction. The Bureau of Public Roads in 1934 was given authority to finance the reconstruction of highways and roads after a disaster. Jackie Harvey, a ridiculously uninformed media critic who writes the column The Outside Scoop. RFC can be considered the first organized federal disaster response agency. Jean Teasdale, an overweight nerdish woman with kitsch tastes, whose constantly upbeat attitude always finds the bright side of her otherwise depressing white trash life. RFC was also responsible for dispensing federal dollars in the wake of a disaster. Smoove B, a smooth talking ladies' man who insists on the best of everything for his dates. The purpose of the RFC was to lend money to banks and institutions to stimulate economic activity. Herbert Kornfeld, Accounts Receivable Supervisor, a white man with a boring desk job who speaks in gangsta rap-isms and ebonics. After the start of the Great Depression in 1929, President Herbert Hoover had commissioned the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) in 1932. He is similar to the Comic Book Guy from The Simpsons. POOP. Larry Groznic, an overweight geek with an obsession for subcultural fandoms. After President Abraham Lincoln's assassination at Ford's Theatre, the 54th Congress passed legislation compensating those who were injured in the theatre. Jim Anchower, a slacker and stoner with a different job every few weeks, whose musical tastes are stuck in 1970s rock and roll. Examples of these include the waiving of duties and tariffs to the merchants of New York City after a fire in the mid 1830’s. Jackie Harvey was given his own blog. Between 1803 and 1930, ad-hoc legislation was passed more than 100 times for relief or compensation after a disaster. A daily fictional stock market analysis titled "Stock Watch", a web opinion poll titled "QuickPoll", and "National News Highlights" of three regional stories, were added. This is widely considered the first piece of legislation passed by the federal government that provided relief after a disaster and can be viewed as the beginnings of federal policies to provide relief after a disaster. "In the News" was retitled "From the Print Edition". The Seventh Congress passed a number of measures in the Congressional Act of 1803, which provided relief for the merchants of Portsmouth by waiving duties and tariffs on goods. "What Do You Think?" became "American Voices," with the question updated daily, and only three responders each day. The first major disaster in the history of the United States was a series of devastating fires in the port city of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Up until August 31, 2005, one of them was almost always a "systems analyst.". The history of FEMA can be divided into the following parts. "What Do You Think?", a survey showing photos of the same six people, although their names and professions change every week. The United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has existed in one form or another for over 200 years. "In the News" photograph and caption with no accompanying story (such as "Frederick's of Anchorage Debuts Crotchless Long Underwear", "National Association Advances Colored Person"). . "The ONION in History": a front page produced in the look of newspapers of an earlier era, satirizing that earlier style and content (these are all taken from the book "Our Dumb Century"). FEMA provides financial assistance to individuals and governments to rebuild homes, businesses, and public facilities; trains firefighters and emergency medical professionals; and funds emergency planning throughout the United States and its territories. Cynical horoscopes. FEMA coordinates the work of federal, state, and local agencies in responding to floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. Random and bizarre editorials. Mainly, FEMA responds to any disaster that occurs in the United States that is declared a federal disaster area by the President of the United States. Point-Counterpoint. The agency is charged with what it defines as four domains of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. "Infographic"), with a bulleted list of items on a theme. The Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA is a government agency in the United States which is organized under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate. The "Infograph" (a.k.a. David Paulison (acting), September 2005. "STATshot", an illustrated statistical snapshot which parodies "USA Today Snapshots". R. Brown, March 2003 - September 2005. Michael D. Allbaugh, February 2001 - March 2003. Joe M. John Magaw (acting), January 2001 - February 2001. James Lee Witt, April 1993 - January 2001. Tidball (acting), January 1993 - April 1993. William C. Stickney, August 1990 - January 1993. Wallace E. Jennings (acting), May 1990 - August 1990. Jerry D. Morris (acting), June 1989 - May 1990. Robert H. Becton, Jr., November 1985 - June 1989. Julius W. Morris (acting), September 1985 - November 1985. Robert H. Giuffrida, May 1981 - September 1985. Louis O. McConnell (acting), April 1981 - May 1981. John W. Bernard Gallagher (acting), January 1981 - April 1981. John Macy, August 1979 - January 1981. Thomas Casey (acting), July 1979. Gordon Vickery (acting), April 1979 - July 1979. Office of Emergency Preparedness, May 1975-April 1979. Hafer, E.O.P. James K. Ten of the people whose funerals were paid for were not even in Florida at the time of their deaths.[8]. FEMA used hurricane aid money to pay funeral expenses for at least 203 Floridians whose deaths were not caused by the 2004 Hurricanes, the state's coroners have concluded. Senate committee and the inspector general of the Department of Homeland Security found that FEMA inappropriately declared Miami-Dade county a disaster area and then awarded millions, often without verifying storm damage or a need for assistance.[6][7]. A U.S. When Hurricane Frances hit South Florida on Labor Day weekend, (over 100 miles north of Miami-Dade County) 9,800 Miami-Dade applicants were approved by FEMA for $28 million in storm claims for new furniture, clothes, thousands of new televisions, microwaves, and refrigerators, cars, dental bills and a funeral even though the Medical Examiner recorded no deaths from Frances. Consider buying flood insurance. Encourage community to participate in National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Take measures to reduce losses in the future. |